Berlin

While it may have been a short trip Berlin was quite the city, but surprisingly the least favorite of all the cities that I have visited. On the most part I think that it had to do with the amount of construction that was going on. It seemed that everywhere there was some building being put up or restored. Because of this the city seemed less clean than the others and of course more modern. The modernity of this city was probably my favorite thing. The architecture was pretty insane. And there were still so many old buildings that the mixture of the old and new was very pleasing.
Overall, the main theme of the city seemed to be politics and a very large and devastating reminder of WWII. It may have been because I went to the Holocaust museum early on in the trip that I felt this way, but it just seemed like everywhere I walked was a reminder of the war. In one of the main downtown areas there was a decrepit church for example, that left a very stern reminder of the bombings. Throughout the course of my trip there have been constant reminders of WWII, but most of them have been covered, or are in the process of being covered up by restoration or rebuilding. This church was not in the least way restored and it seemed that it had been bombed pretty badly. There were large gouges in the side, and even the rose stained-glass window had not been replaced leaving a large hollow circle for a window. It left a large impression on how I viewed the city.
Later, I was able to see the last remaining section of the former Berlin wall at Checkpoint Charlie. That was also very interesting, as well as a staple in history. To my dismay, much of the section consists of souvenir shops, but there was a very small museum.
We stayed in a hostel that night, which my second time was staying in one. I find these establishments very interesting, for every one of them is very unique it seems. I don't really like it because there is no privacy, and I couldn't help but staying up most of the night thinking that I would attract lice or something from the bed that I was sleeping in. It is just weird staying in a bed that many other people stay in...Even though that is what happens in hotels. These beds are just inhabited by different clientele than hotels for the most part. I'd say that the price is worth it I suppose.

My two favorite things of this trip were the Holocaust museum (which absolutely devastated me) and the Salvatore Dali exhibition that was going on. The Holocaust museum left quite the impression on me partly because of the actual sad event, but also because of the way in which everything was placed together to give the most affective presentation. I believe that the architecture, while it has been fairly controversial, was very well done. It echoed death and despair, but also a silence and very affective memorial to those that were murdered. When you walk up to the memorial/museum, all you can see is a plaza full of solid stone rectangles set up in a minimalist design of a grid. You must find your way through this grid-like labyrinth to the museum entrance. Many of the people with my group declared that they felt claustrophobic as if the stones were closing in on them. Others felt it was very comparative to a graveyard. Upon entrance to the museum you pass through a timeline of the war. There were many graphic pictures and a consecutive list of how one might reach genocide in a society. In another room there are several glowing rectangles which mimic the grave-like ones seen above the museum. I felt as if I was in catacombs. The rectangles were exhibiting the letters that pow's sent to relatives describing the war. In the next room were many of the prominent Jewish families that were destroyed, and in the last, the locations of the concentration camps. It was a very insightful reminder of the happenings of WWII. I couldn't help but walk through the city after that and imagine what it would have been like to be there 60-70 years ago and go through that. I think I was depressed the rest of the day. The constant, steady rain didn't help either.
The Dali exhibition was a wonderful surprise for me since it is only a temporary exhibition. I couldn't dawdle as long as I would have liked to in it, but it was still very interesting for me to see. Unfortunately, it wasn't his signature work in surrealism, but his later work from the 60's and 70's which is still interesting, but almost too cliché. What I mean is that his work almost seems too commercial and not as genuine. I could be wrong though, for I don't know as much about his later work. It did seem like a regression into Matisse basically exploring the line. Either way, I feel very privileged that I was able to see it!

Pictures: From Left to right, top to bottom:

1. The trainstation in Berlin

2. A bridge I just liked the look of it

3. Checkpoint Charlie

4. Standing on the east and west side of the before Berlin wall

5. The Holocaust museum

The "Watt"

I went to the tidelands today, otherwise refered to as "Watt." I was so excited to go on this excursion, but was sadly disappointed when I walked off of the bus and was blown away by the wind. Literally, the wind picked me up off of the ground and took me oh...maybe a couple of hundred miles to like Norway! It was insane. Not only was there wind, but rain, and cold, cold air! Even worse, the tide had already come and we missed it. I suppose that my attitude is a bit pessimistic, but honestly it really was kinda disappointing at first. We were not going to give up on account of a little rain and wind, oh no, we decided (I wasn't actually included in the decision...) that we still had to walk through the mud. I already had hypothermia by that time, so what did it matter if I played in a little mud. Maybe if I had rolled around in it, I could have created an outer shell, and survived. I just bravely and, I would have to say valiantly, took off my shoes and socks and rolled up my pants to take the plunge. The first step was the hardest, but after that it got more and more easy. Soon, it was almost fun. We hiked a little ways and finally arrived to the dyke where the actual tide came in. The moment that we arrived, and our tour director opened his mouth to give us his knowledge, a huge bang of thunder and shock of lightening sounded and shook our souls...and it just happened to be the case that we were in water...I believe that at this time the commitee decided it might be a good idea to go back to the bus. Thus, giving us an hour and a half drive there and another back as well as hypothermia. I felt that my money was well spent. All of that aside, the trip was actually kind of fun. The mud that we walked through is supposedly a high ranking face mask at top spas, thus giving me a wonderful mud foot-mask. The pedicure was wonderful, and my feet feel rejuvinated like they have never been before. The scenery around us was quite breathtaking, and I loved the way that the gray sky accented the rolling green hills of grass. Again, it felt like an Impressionistic moment, but kinda like a Van gogh because everything was smeared due to the rain.

From the top, left to right:

1. Getting into the mud

2. I felt as if I were one with all of the elements except my beloved fire

3. Derek and I. We thought that this would help

4. The windmakers

5. My pedacured foot

6. Kate had to hold on to me so I wouldn't blow away

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If you know German and want to know more about the west coast tidelands go to :http://www.wattenmeer-nationalpark.de/

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http://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&sl=de&u=http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wattwanderung&sa=X&oi=translate&resnum=1&ct=result&prev=/search%3Fq%3DWattwanderung%26hl%3Den the second is a translated page complements of google.

die Schokolade!

I had to take a picture of this chocolate. It melts in your mouth, AND in your hand! You only have to pick it up, and instantaneously it succombs to the warmth of your body, as if melding it's spirit with yours. This is how chocolate should be. Succulent, creamy, divine indulgance! It only has to hit my lips and I squeal in delight! Even if this bar had the golden ticket in it, I would have to put it aside until I was finished with the bar; for the bar is the golden ticket! This simple chocolate bar, with it's aluminum halo and regal pleats emblazioned upon it's surface...you can only imagine the liminal state of my mind when discovering this paragon. We have this same brand in America, it of course pales in comparison because of the preservatives. I have a feeling that the rest of the meals on this trip will consist of this chocolate, amongst the many other brands I have yet to try. And you can't do anything about it Brent! You can't make me eat my vegetables, only chocolate for 2 more weeks! Mwah ha ha ha!

Pics of Schleswig

From left to right:

1. The bridge leading up to the palace

2. My knights in shining armour

3. What the palace used to look like before WWII

4. From the topmost tower of Schleswig cathedral

5. Some of the restoration/artwork in the chapel (Gottorf Castle)

6. Ryan and I in front of a really neat fountain

7. One of the local chapels near Fishmarket street

8. Me and the alley...

9. Gottorf Palace

10. Part of Fishmarket street

Schleswig

I realize that I took over 100 photo's today! That must be a positive indicator that it was a pretty incredible day! I saw so many neat things today, it felt as if it could be spread out over the duration of a week. Today we went on an excursion to Schleswig. I am staying in the city-state Schleswig-Holstien, and I guess that Kiel is now the most travelled city in this city-state. Anyway, Schleswig is obviously where Schleswig-Holstien originated from. This is because it is the oldest city. We went to the viking settlement today. I figured that there would be so much more to it, but was a bit disappointed to hike up a trail to find myself situated on a bunch of mounds and see a rebuilt replica of what the city was to look like. That was until I found out that many of the mounds were the old town, but still, I'd have to say that the museum had much more to offer. Although, the scenery was astounding! It was actually very rainy, and while we were hiking there was a light drizzle. I think that the rain actually added to the feel of everything though because there was a mist right off of the fjord, and everything just looked positively green! I'm not quite used to that back home. The viking museum was okay, it was just fascinating to see many of the artifacts, but more, how old everything was. I think that this town/artifacts dated back to about 730 AD. Pretty incredible.



Later, we journeyed back into the main city of Schleswig and headed to the cathedral. It was just like many of the signature gothic cathedrials of the middle ages. The alter in this cathedral was so beautiful, and much of the relief was modeled after Albrecht Durer. Meaning, that it was incredibly ornate. It was sad to see the mark that WWII left on much of Germany and this cathedral, but there was still enough to bring everything together for a very beautiful building. We were able to travel up one of the towers, and the sight was breathtaking. This city is a staple city of a north-eastern European town. All of the roofs were red, and all the streets cobbled. The city was built up, instead of out, making the roads narrow. It was explained to me that the streets were kept cobbled to keep vehicle traffic at a low so that the city may be preserved. I thought it was brilliant!

Lunch later on at a picturesque cafe, and then we were able to go to the "Gottorf" castle, which wasn't as much as a castle as it was a palace. Again, it was very sad to see what WWII had done to this beautiful ancient building, it seemed that everything was a replica that was rebuilt, and that one or two shards of glass that were kept hidden by the villagers during the war were found and replaced to where they were supposed to be. Every room seemed to have someone restoring it, and our tour guide took us around and would hold up a picture and say: "this is a picture of this room, before it was bombed." Still, it was very interesting to see everything, and there was still alot of original things.

At last, we had some freetime and were able to walk around the city as we pleased. It seemed like to perfect opportunity to go to the fishmarket street. Again, it was all so picturesque. And the sun even seemed to shine down on this street, for it was so quaint and cosy. I loved it! I want to retire to this street and live there until I die. The little cottages that lined the street were like something you would see out of a fairy-tale book. And all of them were arranged along the coast of the sea. There were boats up and down the marina, and I couldn't help be reminded of many of the Impressionist paintings there are out there, especially Monet's the Argenteuil (even though it was in Paris along the Seine). It was so clean and quiet and warm. I took the majority of my pictures here. I felt as if I couldn't drink in enough of the scenery. I think one of the things that I was most astonished by was that there was a town like this somewhere in the world. I'm so used to newer things...newer houses, cars, etc. This just seemed like, while you could see few things of the modern world, a street that had been frozen in time.

From left to right from the top:

1. Viking Keys

2. View of Schleswig Viking village from top of mounds

3. Schleswig Cathedrial

4. Arches and vaults (Interior of cathedrial)

5. The insane stairway I had to hike to get up to the top tower of cathedral

6. A view of the cathedral

7. "Die Lampe" side of the courtyard at Gottorf Palace. It is named this because it looks like a lamp or lantern when all of the lights are on.

8. My table in the cottage-like cafe at lunch

9. Me, Vance, and Ava (She is a German student--such a great person!)

10. A view from the tower of the cathedral

11. Another view from the tower of the spiers

12. I'm Repunzel.

Hamburg

Yesterday I went to Hamburg. I absolutely loved this city, perhaps more than Kiel because I tend to like large cities more. We took the train in around 10am and then went our seperate ways. I only had one thing on my agenda to do, and that was to go to the art museum (kunsthall). This was not too difficult to locate, it was right next to the trainstation. It was a large building, and was very reminiscent of our art museums at home, although genuine, for I believe that it was built almost 500 yrs ago or so. Our art museums are usually faux medieval/baroque/whatever architecture with the exception of modern.

The collection of art is very large. The largest collection that they had was of medieval artwork. I think that the collection was very biased consisting mainly of German artists, of course, Germany has contributed a fair amout to art, so there should be a pride. Especially so in the modern art collection. I was very pleased with their modern art collection! That is where I spent the majority of my time. Schad, Munch, Rehberger, Beckmann, Ray, Ernst, etc. I was in a literal heaven! I took a couple of pics to post. It is really amazing for me, after learning about these works and artists to see it. You can not do justice to a work of art by just showing a slide of picture I realized. It is much better to see it in real life, there is such a difference, for me anyway.

While in the museum, I was walking through the late 19th c. section which mainly consisted of impressionism and neo-impressionism and noticed a mistake with one of the labelings. It was a work by Renior and was labeled to be by Manet I believe. It was difficult for me to tell though because it was all in German, and I'm not quite that advanced in my lingual skills. So I asked the docent, and she looked at it for a while then said that it couldn't be right and went to check on it. I think that is the first German I impressed. Later I went back just to see if I was correct, and the label was changed. So now we know that all of my schooling is not in vain! Lol!

I spent cumulitively 6 hours in the museum, then had to meet up with the rest of my group for dinner at a cafe that we had never been to, but kinda knew on the map. I was a bit worried because they, nor I really didn't know what we were talking about, but I found it with no problem and waited, and waited, and waited. They

never came, and I was beginning to stress because one of the girls in the group had my train ticket (it was a group ticket). Finally, when I was about to start to just leave and buy a new train ticket did they show up. We had dinner together at a little outdoor cafe, and just basqued in our surroundings. This is what I love about the German culture: they take the time. It doesn't matter what they are doing, but they don't seem to stress themselves out as much because they aren't as fastpaced. It seems like they don't have bigger/better complexes, and are happy just being in leisure, no matter how much money they make. I saw so many examples of this in people just sitting on the steps that led down to the marina and just staring and thinking. There wan't just one or two people, it had to be hundreds. I loved it! I wish it could be more like that in our country, instead of video games and television. And I have to admit, I am guilty of not taking the time. I have realized a great difference that it has made in me to just sit and think and enjoy my surroundings.

Weekend

The last couple of days have been pretty good. I find that on the days in which I have class, I don't do much more than study. I think it is good for me to have few good friends, and no boyfriend here to distract me (although I miss all of them like crazy!). The language is coming to me pretty fast, and I find some of it coming up in my dreams. Of course those are only the basics, but hey, it is something. Today I had my first real conversation with someone of German origin, all in German! Her name was Johanna, and it was quite the adventure. I was a bit flustered by the end of it. Kinda crazy! It only lasted about 5min., but I felt she understood me, and I understood most of what she was saying. And she was talking so fast!
I don't really have any new pictures because I think that mon.-thurs. will be study days for me. Nothing really exciting going on. This weekend I'm going to Hamburg! I leave tomorrow, but will only stay during the day and come back in the evening. I will be going with two other girls. I hear that Hamburg has a beautiful art museum, so I will definately be visiting it.
Tonight I am going to a jazz lounge. It should be interesting. A couple of students from the school invited a couple of the people from my group. I'm excited to see the differences between American lounge and German. Either way, if jazz music is playing than I am happy. I have yet to figure out what to do on saturday and sunday, but I guess I'll just take that as it comes. There were a couple of students that were talking about going up to Copenhagen, Denmark since it is so close. I think I might try to tag along with them.
So far it has been interesting to take in the German culture. Everyone seems to be so much less stressed and fast paced here. It has been nice because they definately indulge in their leisure time. I have been trying to mimick this, especially when I have the freetime.

Classe

I had my first classes today, and it was not as bad as I thought. I have a very good teacher, and feel like I'm learning very fast. It definately helps to live in the country of the given language. I felt much more confident in meeting people knowing the basics to at least show them I have tried to learn their language. It has been a beautiful day today, and I have felt much more at ease in my surroundings.

Catching up

Okay, I have some catching up to do. I just (three days after I arrived!) received my internet in my dorm. Basically, any kind of contact with the non-German world has been obsolete. I couldn't even buy a calling card. I did keep a personal microsoft word blog going, so I will now post it along with many of the pics I have taken out here.

Pictures

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2.Deandre und mich

3.These things are all over the beaches

4.A modern sculpture in the 16 c. palace courtyard

5.Kanst Sie sehen ein Jellyfish?

6. Some of the boats.

July 15, 2007

I wish I could just plug into an instant German hardrive and automatically receive the language in my head. Despite that, today was very busy. It was somewhat of an orientation for us. We met up at the international center and received all of our info, then went out for a tour around the campus. The Christian-Albrecht Universitat campus is probably twice the size of the University of Utah’s. The tour was very long to say the least. I’m really going to need to get used to walking here! We then went on a tour of early Kiel, which dates back to the middle ages. It has a very interesting past, and some of the buildings were amazing. Although most of the city had to be rebuilt after WWII. Apparently, the city had been bombed 90 times. We visited the old courthouse, the cathedral, and the old palace. We later went to get on the ferry to make our way to where our dinner was to be held. This is when I discovered what an incredible nautical life Kiel had. I can only explain in pictures. It is jelly-fish season too, and they seemed to be everywhere. I have now opted out of getting in the water now. On the ferry we were able to see all of the coastal activity and beaches. I can’t wait to go to one of them! So many people go to the beach here!

July 14, 2007

Today has been a long day, and it seems that my luck since being here in Germany has not been that great. Maybe I’m just being pessimistic…The calling card purchasing machine ate my 10 euro. I did not receive my card nor did I receive my satisfaction! I tried to get it back, but the process in which I had to follow was far too difficult, especially since I don’t speak or understand German. That has been a very large barrier and complication for me: not knowing the language. I have found myself constantly stressed and very isolated because of my lack of understanding. Thank goodness most people here know English, but when they realize I’m American, they tend to show animosity or annoyance at having to change languages for me. This is understandable since I find myself impatient with those in my country that visit and do not at least know the basics. There have been a few kind spirits that have pity and have been extremely helpful. I think I just have many things to get used to.
We also got lost once again today on our way to the beach. The beach we found ourselves on was not the one which we were supposed to meet the rest of the group at, but we decided a beach is a beach, and stayed at our newly discovered one. It was pretty neat. You could definitely tell it was Nordic. The water was freezing for the middle of the summer, but the sailing weather was perfect. The neat thing is that it hasn’t been too hot. The temperatures have been upwards from 80-90deg. It was still warm enough to lie out on the sand!
I am constantly amazed at how environmentally conscious they are out here. I rarely go anywhere and see a piece of garbage on the ground. Everywhere you look there are wastebaskets that are separated for paper, bottles, and plastics. It seems that very few people here waste, and only take the portions meant for them. All meals (including the food court in the mall) are served on china so that paper and Styrofoam are not wasted. It is crazy what a difference these small steps make in the beauty of a given place. I would have to say that seeing the some of the lifestyles here, America may need to take a couple of tips.

July 13, 2007 Alles Gute!

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1. A very long line I had to wait in. 2.Departure from the U.S. 3.Flying into New York

Today has been a very long day! I left my home at 4am and picked up my flight buddy Julie. We then proceeded to the airport. I’ve been in 3 different airports. We first flew into St. Paul, Minnesota and stayed for a short layover, then went on to Newark, NJ. I wasn’t aware how close Newark was to New York. It was fascinating to see NY! I really wish I could have stayed out there longer to explore. It is so crowded and completely industrial. I loved it!
After leaving Newark, it was an 8hr flight to Hamburg. I slept the majority of it, but I do remember this remarkable German man that sat next to me! I believe his daughter (who looked to be around my age) was sitting next to him. He treated me just like his daughter. He saw that I was cold and gave me his blanket, but not only that; he proceeded to tuck me in! He saw that I had garbage to give to the flight attendant, so he held it until she came to pick it up because he saw it was in my way. I think he liked me so much because the moment I stepped onto the plane my glasses broke--Ironic. I didn’t want to miss flying over the coast and NY, so I put my broken glasses on. Because they were broken in the middle on the nose piece, I had to hold them together on the sides almost like binoculars. He found this amusing, but was too polite to say anything until I explained to him what had happened. He only laughed and remarked “you crazy!” I just laughed.
Once we landed in Hamburg, we then had to retrieve our luggage. It was when we were waiting at the bus stop when I did something so completely embarrassing. I had noticed that when we departed from the airplane, I wasn’t feeling that well. I think it was motion sickness (which I never get). As we were about to board the bus I felt a jerk in my stomach and knew I had to get to the restroom FAST! It ended up not being fast enough, and I threw up partly in the trashcan and mostly on the ground. Everyone stopped and stared, and since the bus was about to leave all I could do was get on. My travel buddies had a look of disgust and pity in their eyes because I couldn’t clean myself off except with these pathetic little wet wipes. I could tell no one wanted to sit next to me, so I took my Typhoid Mary self to a seat alone and away from them. Julie was cool and sympathetic enough to sit by me. It was horrible (emotionally. Physically, I actually felt much better), and what was worse, was that upon arrival to Kiel and the international center, word had somehow gotten around before I arrived and everyone gave me the special treatment. I hate special treatment.
While we were trying to get to the International center, we passed a group of students and one of them shouted out at us (there were 5 of us altogether). He shouted: “I love your country, and your politicians.” It was an obvious mockery. Some people are so ignorant, especially to make such a hasty generalization of Americans. I, of course, couldn’t keep my mouth shut, so I just used the same tone that he used and said calmly but in a disgusted way “no you don’t.” He shut up, and I thought he would have glared at me for the comment, but he just looked kind of sheepishly away.
After checking into our dorms, which are surprisingly very nice, (I have my own room) we had the rest of the day to ourselves. I proceeded to get lost twice--once for two hours, and the second time with all of my groceries. The groceries were not in a bag because apparently they don’t give out bags here (environmental issue). So I walked around in circles for about an hour with all of these groceries doing a balancing act in my arms. Finally, when I was about to give up I ran into this girl who spoke English and directed me to my dorm. She even gave me a cloth bag to carry my groceries in. I was so grateful to her I gave her a hug.
Without all of the complications today, I noticed what an incredibly beautiful and clean city Kiel is. It is located right at the waterfront where the North Sea and the Baltic connect. One man on the bus told me that the waterway is the most used in the world. I am very eager to learn the language here and have a feeling this is just what I need in terms of learning a new language. I can tell I’ll be forced to speak it if I want to communicate with anyone.